Slidable and reversible jaw wrench especially designed for work on different type rifle actions



Feb. 27 11951 w. s VICKERMAN 2543 146) SLIDABLE AND REVERSIBLE JAW WRENCH, ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR WORK- ON DIFFERENT TYPE RIFLE ACTIONS Filed April 18, 1947 Patented Feb 27, 1951 SLIDABLE AND REVERSIBLE JAW WRENCH ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR WORK ON DIFFERENT TYPE RIFLE ACTIONS Wynn S. Vickerman', Ellensburg, Wash.

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a wrench for use by gunsmiths and others in removing and replacing threaded gun barrels from rifle actions, the primary object of this invention being to provide a wrench which is especially, although not exclusively, suited to this use, to replace the makeshift and remodelled monkey wrenches, crescent wrenches, and various hand Vises generally used for the purpose, which wrench by being readily adjustable to accommodate rifle actions of different makes and shapes, eliminates the need for several such wrenches.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a rifle action wrench of the character indicated above, which applies clamping pressure equally to opposite sides of the action, instead of mainly at one side thereof, as in the case with presently used devices, in such a way as to eliminate the possibility of slipping and marring of highly polished and/or engraved actions, and in such a way as to provide sufiicient strength and rigidity in itself and in its relation to the action to eliminate spring when pressure by hand or by means of a blow struck on the wrench handle is applied to the wrench.

Other important objects and advantageous features of this invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein merely for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment is set forth in detail.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation;

Figure 2 is a perspective;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the wrench applied to a cylindrical type rifle action, such as that of a Springfield rifle;

Figure 4. is a similar View showing the wrench adjusted and applied to a fiat-sided type of rifle action, such as that of a Savage or a Winchester rifle, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view show ing application of the wrench to a rifle action.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the herein illustrated embodiment of the invention, which is subject to such modifications as fall within the hereunto appended claim, is generally designated 6 and comprises essentially an inner or lower jaw 7 provided with a straight preferably integral handle 8 formed at its opposite ends with threaded parallel bores 9 into which are adapted to be threaded the clamping studs or bolts Ill, smooth portions of whose shanks are rotatably accommodated in smooth bores H formed at the opposite ends of the outer or upper Application April 18, 1947, Serial No. 742,408

2 jaw l2, the bolts being provided with suitable turning heads 3.

The inner jaw l extends crosswise with respect to the elongated handle 8, projecting for substantially equal distances on opposite sides of the axis of the handle, and presents a plane gripping surface I4 extending at right angles to said axis.

The outer or adjustable jaw i2 is in the form of a rectangular parallel sided block of the same length and width as the jaw l but of slightly greater depth or height. The otherwise plane working face 55 of the outer jaw I2 is formed midway between the bolts It with a substantially V-shaped notch it, of sufficient depth and aperture to receive a cylindrical rifle action H, as indicated in Figure 3.

For the accommodation in the notch it of cylindrical actions having lateral projections, such as indicated at I3 in Figure 3, present on certain Enfield and Springfield rifle actions, one angulated face 19 of the notch i6 is formed with a clearance notch 20, which terminates above the lower end or edge of the notch face [9, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, so as not to deprive this face of the notch I6 of proper engagement with the action in the absence of projections thereon like l8.

In the case of a flat-sided rifle action 2!, such as that of Winchester or Savage rifles and others, the upper or outer jaw 12 is reversed on the bolts It, so as to present to the face M of the lower or inner jaw l, the plane similar parallel face 22, as shown in Figure 4.

The within described wrench is used simply by applying the jaws to opposite sides of the rifle action, with the outer jaw l2 positioned according to the type of action, and then evenly tightening the bolts it until the action is tightly clamped, with wrench handle extending crosswise as indicated in Figure 5 at the desired side of the rifle action. The jaws are applied to the action just in back of the recoil shoulder 23, as indicated in Figure 5. Paper, cloth or other cushioning material may be used on the working faces of the wrench jaws, before tightening the jaws. When so tightened, and with the rifle barrel 24 held in a suitable vise, the unscrewing of the action from the barrel may be started by one or more sharp blows applied to the outer end of the handle 8.

It will be obvious that in the construction described, the equal tightening of the bolts It will preclude any distortion of the rifle action by jaw pressure thereon and that the equalization of working face of the fixed jaw, and clamping means comprising a pair of similar clamping elements connected between the jaws at their outer ends for drawing the jaws together in substantial parallel relation, another working face of said adjustable jaw being formed with a notched portion for receiving a rounded portion of a rifle action, one side of the notch in said last named 4 working face being provided with a right-angular clearance notch which adapts the wrench to receive rifle actions having laterally offset projections, the adjustable jaw being reversely supportable by the clamping means, whereby either of its working faces may be presented opposite the working face of the fixed jaw.

WYNN S. VICKERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Number Name Date 119,265 Cumberworth Sept. 26, 1871 598,591 Barrell Feb. 8, 1898 957,044 Druck May 3, 1910 1,498,638 Periolat 1. June 24, 1924 20 1,782,929 Lilleberg Nov. 25, 1930 2,031,159 Griffith Feb. 18, 1936 

